My thoughts about a decade that brought big changes around the world. Also a search for buried bodies begins……………….
Down The Road with the Original Buffalo Dale
Welcome back. The early years of the 1980s brought many significant historical events. The use of personal computers exploded around the world and changed all of our lives forever. Canada gained its independence and Margaret Thatcher became the Prime Minister of England. An El Nino weather pattern was also causing natural disasters around the globe. At the same time, a worldwide economic recession was going on.
In the United States Ronald Reagan was elected to his first term as President in 1980 and later that same year John Hinkley shot and killed John Lennon. In 1981 President Reagan was also shot (but fortunately survived) and Anwar Sadat, the President of Egypt, was assassinated.
It was also in the early 80s that Michael Jackson, Madonna and Whitney Houston became famous. On the big screen Chariots of Fire, Gandi and Terms of Endearment brought in millions at the movies. MTV was launched during this period, introducing music videos to the general public.
Another big story happened in Washington State when Mt. St. Helens erupted, killing 57 people.
Across the nation the use of drugs, especially cocaine, was becoming a major problem. The hippie days of peace, love and pot smoking was over, replaced by drug smuggling gangs and turf wars.
The local scene was no different when Washington County made history. The biggest pot growing bust in Oklahoma history began when Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs agents Jerry Harris and John Guy were contacted by a young Dewey boy who said he knew where there was a large area of cultivated marijuana. He said he could lead the agents to it and wanted to know if he could claim a reward. After striking a deal with the two agents for $250, the boy took them to the field where the bust was made.
The cultivated area was so large that county surveyor Richard Quitter was called in to determine the size of the crop. His estimate of 10 to 12 tons of pot caused every newspaper in the state to send reporters to cover the story. With all the publicity it wasn’t long before local contractor Ernie Milligan was called in to dig a huge hole to put the weed in and when the crop was set on fire you could see the smoke for miles and I imagine the local stores sold out of twinkies.
Growing their own wasn’t the only way for the 80s crowd of pot smokers to get their high. In those days Mexican nationals were becoming regulars in the area, bringing weed from border towns in Texas and New Mexico to Oklahoma.
This is where I left off last week with the two dead men buried in a pair of 50 gallon oil drums. I had heard this story a few years ago but I didn’t give it much thought until I was recently contacted by a convicted murderer who said he had some information about the killing. After he gave me details about these murders he sent me several aerial maps of the property where he said the bodies might be found. With all this said, I have become convinced that this crime did happen. After contacting the authorities, the property owner and several experienced men with metal detectors, the hunt is on and I’ll keep you informed.
Till next time I’ll see ya down the road…….